“Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings…” ‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:12-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬. One of the great fallacies being promoted in religion today is, that the Christian life will make our lives easier and more comfortable. Some even say that Christians will be exempt from suffering. But these ideas are clearly contrary to the Word of God. Peter writes here that we should not be surprised by fiery trials. He lets us know that afflictions and suffering are not unusual things. Rather, they are to be expected as we are pilgrims on a journey and soldiers in a spiritual conflict. But then, he says also that we should rejoice because we are sharing in the sufferings of Christ! We know he is not talking about the sufferings of Christ which He experienced in His passion, when He paid the price for our sins. No one could possibly share in that suffering. But what we can rejoice in, is that we have the privilege, with Christ living in us, as partakers of His nature, to share in the suffering that true Christian life brings. And let us realize, that through the suffering we experience for Him, our souls are being prepared for the glory that awaits.